I've recently been revamping my plane complement.
I have become a bevel-up Zealot! Many of my standard Stanley style planes have been you know what bay'd for fresh cash for bevel ups. This all grew out of my obtaining a second Veritas low angle block, with optional 38 and 50 degree irons and the ball and tail kit, creating a bevel-up #3 smoother.
Why do I like bevel up planes? I keep all of the planes set up with a stock iron, and keep a sharp 25, 38, and 50 degree iron in a leather pouch. Since all of my Veritas bevel-up bench planes use the same irons, I can totally revamp a plane, with a blade from a single wallet, in 15 seconds! I have a second wallet for the block plane irons.
Swap the blade, set the side stops, and instantly adjust the throat opening! Awesome results! Put it back to the "default" in only 15 seconds more! After messing with cutting angles, chip breaker settings and frog settings, I now know why so many woodworkers keep so many bevel down planes around, all set up and ready to for specialty functions.
Tonight, I set up a new BU #7 jointer and #5 jack. The things cut like butter out of the box, and even better with a 4000/8000 touch!
Why do I need my bevel down planes? Anyone care to comment?